Mobile Libraries Bring Books and More Into Communities
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LIBRARY NEWS Sharing stories of Georgia libraries transforming lives and communities Volume 18, Issue 2, Winter 2021 Mobile libraries bring books and more into communities Georgia Public Library Service funds technology projects across the state Public libraries step up in tough times 3 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Georgia public libraries step up in tough times Ben Carter By Julie Walker, state librarian for Getting digital learners and workers what they Georgia needed, fast In spring 2020, Georgia Public Library Service met As a new year begins, we look forward the urgent needs of students learning remotely. with hope to new opportunities and We purchased laptops on behalf of our libraries ways to serve our Georgia communities and assisted them in making connections to K-12 and college students who needed them. Because in 2021. I’m so proud of our library staff Georgia Public Library Service is located within across the state, who, even while librar- the University System of Georgia, we coordinat- ies were closed, found ways to help pa- ed with all 26 campus locations to quickly give trons in need of books, internet access, students without a device the tools they needed to finish their semester. and more. Their innovation inspires me every day. We heard from college students, workers, and parents with young children who were grateful for being able to borrow devices to complete I’m pleased to share some of the ways their work. that Georgia’s 411 public libraries stepped up during COVID-19. Additionally, libraries provide a host of online resources to help students of all ages, including the free practice tests and lessons in Learning Ex- press and language learning in Mango Languag- es. Our PINES library card serves more than 300 Courtesy of Newton County Library System Chelsea Kovalevskiy libraries across Georgia, and this Our public libraries have played hotspots or tech-to-go packages fall, we launched a PINES ecard such an essential role in pro- to patrons. You can read more that gives you an easy way to viding access as Georgians about our efforts here. register for all digital resources coped with the consequences of offered at your local library, in- COVID-19. Libraries help students keep cluding GALILEO and the Entre- reading preneurial Learning Initiative. We also are funding bigger proj- ects using TV white space and Summer reading is such an im- We partnered with Grow with some Wi-Fi extenders, so librar- portant tool to keep kids learn- Google to connect jobseekers ies could share their free Wi-Fi ing when school is out. In 2020, and small businesses with library out into more public areas like our libraries made the switch to resources to build digital skills parks and community centers. virtual summer reading pro- and grow businesses online. Currently, we are granting funds grams. Librarians were able to Connectivity offered by libraries to our public libraries to boost create vibrant, well-attended provided a lifeline to Georgians their technology services for online programs. Many libraries in applying for jobs or govern- things like lending internet continue to use Beanstack year ment services during this partic- round for reading programs in ularly difficult time. partnership with local schools. Additionally, we continue to Providing internet to those provide the eRead Kids digital without access library, which features more than 20,000 electronic and Many people who live in Geor- audiobooks for kids in pre-K to gia’s rural areas lack basic in- fourth grade. It is freely avail- ternet access, which became able through all public libraries an even bigger problem during in the state. times of distance learning and business shutdowns. This spring, Libraries, innovated there were many times when our library parking lots were full of Our libraries have done an vehicles - workers, families, and exceptional job pivoting to an students logging on to the free entirely new service model in internet that all of our public 2020. Going far beyond curbside libraries continue to provide service and virtual program- outside their buildings. We have ming, they have stayed in touch seen record internet usage 3 and in tune with their individual across Georgia libraries in 2020. communities to provide whatev- GPLS 3 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Our libraries have done an exceptional job pivoting Georgia Public to an entirely new service model in 2020. Library Service funds technol- Going far beyond curb- side service and virtual ogy projects programming, they have stayed in touch and in across the state tune with their individual Public libraries across Georgia have played an communities to provide essential role in providing internet access during COVID-19, especially in rural and underserved whatever is needed, from areas that lack basic connectivity. This has been especially evident during times of distance learn- food to connectivity to ing and business shutdowns, when people needed entertainment to edu- to access public Wi-Fi to complete work. cational support, all the For the 35,000 residents of Harris County, Geor- gia, the local library has been a lifeline during while striving to keep COVID-19 closures. The two-year-old facility is in Hamilton, a rural town with around 1,100 resi- everyone safe and well. dents located just north of Columbus, Georgia. “To say libraries are still offering a vital service er is needed, from food to connectivity to enter- during the pandemic would be an understate- tainment to educational support, all the while ment,” said Ryan Willoughby, the executive striving to keep everyone safe and well. Libraries director of Habitat for Humanity of Georgia, Inc. have built and strengthened community partner- “There is only one public Wi-Fi spot where I live, ships, as people continue to depend on libraries and that is the Harris County Public Library - for for much more than books. the entire county.” In 2020, we’ve learned that, more than ever, During the statewide shutdown, Willoughby spent libraries are essential. I look back with gratitude several hours a day using the library’s parking lot to all of our library patrons, staff, friends, and Wi-Fi access to do his work. A majority of Harris funders who helped sustain us. It’s because of you County does not have access to broadband inter- that our libraries can transform lives and commu- net apart from unreliable cellular options, and nities. broad swaths have no internet access at all. Please reach out anytime with questions or feed- Recognizing this need, Georgia Public Library back at [email protected]. n Service has dedicated federal CARES Act funding, 4 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians along with state and private Grants have already been will ensure educational oppor- grant funding, to a variety of awarded for 11 tech innovation tunities are not missed due to technology projects through the projects totaling $186,000, from poverty or lack of access.” Libraries Without Walls grant. network hardware upgrades to The funding aims to boost the tech loaning programs. The Oconee Regional Library connectivity needs of our public System will use their Library libraries to better serve their Two of the 11 recipients are the Without Walls grant to fund a community’s needs in five focus Sara Hightower Regional Library Tech to Go program. The library areas: System and Oconee Regional will combine an assortment of Library System. useful technology and guide • Bringing libraries up to a stan- materials that patrons can check dard level of Wi-Fi connection The Sara Hightower Regional out just like a book. Examples and statistics gathering. Library System, located in north- include at-home internet access • Providing Chromebooks so west Georgia, will use the grant kits for school, job hunting, re- libraries can create a lending to provide internet hotspots for search, and productivity; digital program for patrons. checkout. photography and digital media • Migrating libraries from creation and editing; kid-friendly outdated email and productiv- “A number of our patrons live stop-motion animation kits and ity tools to the cloud-based G in areas where internet access tutorials; outdoor adventure kits Suite from Google. is not available,” said Dela- including a GoPro; and digital • Supporting projects that em- na Sissel, director of the Sara music production. brace innovative technology to Hightower Library System. “Our address the changing needs of library serves three counties You can learn more about libraries. with many people who need grantees and their projects at • Using Wi-Fi expansion tech- these hotspots to be able to galibtech.georgialibraries.org/ nologies to boost the internet complete their work and studies. lift-grants. n beyond the library. This service to our community 3 Daniel Zeiger 5 Georgia Public Library Service | georgialibraries.org | Empowering libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians Deborah Hakes Forsyth County Public Library launched its bookmobile in November. With nearly 250 square miles to cover in the county of over 236,000 residents, demand for bookmobile services is expected to be high. Cobb County Public Library County Cobb Cobb County Public Library’s bookmobile partnered with local middle schools to distribute donated books to underserved communities.